greekskii

Oh dear. It was the moon rising. Very orange. Must be the lack of leaves making it visible where it wasn't before. And branches dancing in the wind making it look like it's moving. Miffed why it's up so late though. But it's so bright it's blinding me now!! Never felt unnerved apart from the 3am visit from two people...glad they kept out my way. Old estate lake though. Many have drowned in the top lake. When I'm here not fishing and just baiting up in the dark it feels odd. Almost naughty and like I'm being watched by nature itself.

Think there is one of these Chinese lanterns stuck in the trees opposite me. That or we got something very strange going on.

Cheers mate. Bite time, most of my fish since October have come between 5:30-8pm has passed now. Always a chance when the rods are out though!

Hot water bottle and one layer of wool socks mate. Insulte from underneath the bed chair. I have my hold-all under mine plus various other bits. btw lads. Just went to put water in the kettle. Ice inside it!!

I always sleep with my door open. Or even the front rolled to the sides. Can't stand the door down unless it's really needed. Have just poked my head out the sleeping bag. It's arctic! The normal bite time has passed... could this be a second blank in a row? kettle needs to go on and maybe time to break out the hot water bottle to get every inch of the bag toasty.

Always a chance to get out for a few hours on those milder days. If you can find the bite time you only need a few hours on the bank. I enjoy the good nights sleep away from the little'un. Think I had a couple hrs last night only so catch or not I get to get a good sleep!

Warm in the sleeping bag and the kettle is on. All changes if you get a run. The adrenaline kicks in and you're warm for a good while afterwards. Personally I'll stop doing nights when I've found the winter bite time, if it's during the day anyway. It can be draining due to the cold but worth it (or I'm mad) as soon as it's icing over is normally a good time to stop though. I have seen some lad having his rod tips submerged thinking it'll help but it doesn't. Best thing I've seen was a beanie unhooking mat secured over submerged rod tips. Get a run and whip it off and lift the rod up (or play the fish under ice). I have done a day session on a frozen lake before, and managed to catch. But it wasn't very nice playing them so they smash the ice with their tails. Never again.

Must be epic in the snow. I've just got horrendously cold winds and a bit of sun.

Rods are out. Fingers are frozen. Two snapped baiting needles but I can tuck myself away and let the week sunshine try to warm the bivvy

I had a couple of bleeps just before the regular bite time for this area yesterday evening. Either I got done or a liner. Since then nothing. Think it's a blank for me this week. Doubtful I'm fishing next week either due to work and other things which is killing me inside! Liner fell on the Left hand rod, fished to the edge of the spot I've been baiting. The same rod my last two have come from. When I'm next out the rods will all shift a bit. One on the left hand spot, one on the main area and then one in between. Maybe that'll increase my chances. Who knows. Warmer next week according to my weather app. It's why I'm gutted I'll unlikely be able to hit the bank.

same, only thing I did with mine is split the sole in half on something sharp on the river bed whilst doing some work. Melted back together with a mini blowtorch and a stone. good as new! I'd say to get the best waders you can justify on price. The 740E (i think) or the reinforced 700e version. Studded boots help too if they are an option. Vass are quality and will last a long time, even with a lot of use. NEVER get neoprene waders, especially not for fishing! nightmare to get on and off and you look like a teletubby!! I had a pair and never again. They ended up leaking like a sieve. uncomfortable and way too warm. Brilliant if you're in an ice cold chalk stream electrofishing in early Feb... come summer though!

@smufter true. carpy lands more fish.

personally i'd have bought much cheaper indicators that dont require modifications to work properly...

sitting at work with just over an hour before I can leave to get to the lake, via a supermarket. I've done a total of 0 minutes work since arriving at 8:15... fishing days are always like this.

dont start this again! mk1 delks win hands down

just had a look at the website... The Moore Quarry and the Rixton Clay Pits would float my boat if I was in the area.

the sonik ones seem to be good value for money... personally save up a bit more and £100-£120 gets you a good set. Or save up even longer and mk1 delkims can be found for £150-£200 for 3 and a reciever.

Cheers bud!

cant find it?

Think I'm going to keep an eye out for another set of Mk1s and get them sent off to Delkim and then Dalectronics for a refurb, etc. Then keep them safely stored for when these ones pack up (might be 20 years down the line though). I'm sure the Mk1s will beocme 'cult' at some point and command a decent price too.

Personally think the old mk1s should be worth the same price. All these 'problems' people have with the new version and the mk1s don't have any of them...maybe more valuable tbh.

Tbh it'll get cold enough the rats don't bother soon. Always found them to disappear over winter.

Probably due to me frying pan sitting near the door. Never really had any problems with them here this year. Second time I've seen one. With the colder weather it must be more tempting. Warmer area in the bivvy and a whiff of food too.

Turned the bivvy light on to deter said rodent from returning. Didn't work. Any rat deterrents other than an air rifle. Could leave it a bit of grub away from the bivvy but then it's encouraging more and most likely more wildlife in general. I picked up the rod cursing as it was the breamiest take ever!! When it took on a curve I'd never been in my waders so quick!

Well I've just woken up to the rain and a small rat rummaging around my bivvy. It a big mouse. Regardless, not a good start to the morning. Good job I have spare cutlery, plate and mug. On the plus side I had a 24.02lb mirror yesterday around 7pm. But nothing since.